The fact that cats are notoriously fussy eaters is well-known, and it is now usual for them to turn down food on occasion. On the other hand, your cat may stop eating good food while continuing to try out others, which may be a little confusing. As an example, why does your cat no longer eat dry food yet still consume treats?
The same way junk food has a better flavor than the nutritious foods we know we should consume but choose not. On the other hand, cat snacks are usually tastier than cat food. Even if your cat’s desire for food changes due to a medical condition or anything else, they will continue to eat treats since they taste good!
If your cat refuses to eat food and only treats, this article will discuss the many causes and resolve this situation.
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Why Is My Cat Not Eating Food But Eats Treats?
Apart from changes to their environment, your cat’s inability to eat might be due to many other factors. However, other fitness conditions must clear out before making any changes to their diets. Consider each possibility in further detail.
Changes in the Environment:
Changing your cat’s environment, as previously said, might all it takes to make your cat fussy about what it eats. This is especially true for domestic cats, who have become used to the creature comforts of their homes and cannot cope with the disruption of a new environment.
The first step is to glance around and notice what is different. Are there any new pets or family members in the home? Has the time come for you to stop watching your cat eat and just let it be? Have you reduced the frequency with which you empty their bowl? If you make even the smallest adjustment, your cat may stop eating dry food.
It is possible to return to the old techniques, even if you have not washed your cat’s food dish as often, and see if this helps their eating. By reverting to your normal behavior, your cat will coincidentally consume again. You may not have realized you have been letting things like this slip.
A fresh and regular habit might assist your cat in restoring its comfort and beginning feeding more often again if the change cannot be undone or if you have a new pet. It may take some time for your cat to adjust, but once they have realized that these alterations are not a threat to them, their hunger should return.
There is no set routine:
Your cat may have quit consuming food due to a lack of a regular feeding schedule. As a result, individuals are thrown off their practice, and this causes them distress. One of the best ways to avoid fussy eating is to develop a daily pattern for mealtimes. The first step is to stop putting out food for your cat to snack on throughout the day.
Instead, create a daily feeding schedule and stick to it. Please clean up your cat’s food dish after about 30 minutes of leaving it out for them to eat. Your cat will be able to tell when they can eat, which will help them avoid being as fussy. Your daily eating schedule should include three meals, separated by 12 hours at a basic minimum.
To ease indigestion and slow down the pace of eating, some pet owners prefer to divide their meals into five or six small bites. Make sure that whatever feeding habit you adopt fits with your schedule so that you can keep with it. Once again, if the timetable is broken, the project will return to the drawing board.
Treat Preference:
Often, your cat will consume goodies because they want to. They may have acquired a taste for the snacks you have lately been serving them. Alternatively, you have found a new brand that is extremely addictive. Just what the case may be your cat may opt to put off eating his usual food in the hopes that you will give him treats rather. There is a concern, though, since cats are at risk of a serious health issue if they go many days without food. Afterward, we will go into detail regarding this topic.
Too Many Treats:
Another common reason why your cat only wants to eat treats and refuses to eat dry food is that you have given them too many goodies in the first place. This will seem like a Catch-22 situation: Your cat does not eat much, so you lure them with goodies, which in turn drives them to consume less of their food. As a result, the cycle continues indefinitely.
On the other hand, Cats are bright animals and may quickly realize that they will receive a sweet treat if they do not eat their food. Over time, this will lead to a fussier attitude toward food and an increased risk of other fitness issues, including weight problems. On the other hand, treats are poor in vitamins compared to kibble, and they will not help me lose weight if I eat them all myself.
If this is the situation in your household, you should encourage real behavior instead of rewarding your cat for refusing to consume their dry food. Put an end to giving your cats any handle, and instead, make sure to feed them frequently throughout the day.
To begin with, it is possible that your cat will not eat its food at all. However, famine should take over after a few days, and you should see an increase in your cat’s desire for dry food. To avoid being hungry, they will have found that their food is the only thing they will receive.
Parasitic Infections:
It is possible that parasites have made their way into your cat’s digestive tract, resulting in stomach upset and pain. Your cat may not want to eat their food, and their appetite may decrease because of this.
Roundworms, heartworms, tapeworms, and hookworms are the most prevalent types of microscopic parasites. Adults seldom suffer from parasitic infections, although young kittens are more susceptible. Additionally, parasite diseases may cause a decrease in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and even a dull coat.
On the other hand, your veterinarian can perform tests to identify whether or not your cat has been afflicted with a parasite and then provide the appropriate therapy. A normal hunger should restore to your cat after parasites are eliminated from their system.
Why Is It a Problem If My Cat Only Eats Treats?
There are several problems my cat only eats treats. Below are the issues:
Not a Healthy Diet:
The appropriate proportions of protein, lipids, and carbs are essential for a cat’s nutritional well-being. Even the cheapest cat food has been developed to meet your pet’s most basic nutritional needs, even if it is not expensive. It is important to note the treats are meant to be an addition to your cat’s regular diet, and they do not necessarily qualify as a weight-loss strategy in and of itself. Fat and calorie content is an issue for many. Again, it is as if we just ate potato chips and candy—delicious but devoid of any nutritional value.
Hepatic Lipidosis:
A cat can suffer from liver lipidosis even if it has not eaten or taken very modest quantities of food for a few days. Weight gain in cats is a major risk factor for this illness, which exclusively affects felines. To compensate for lack of food, cats develop the fatty liver syndrome, which is the medical term for the ailment.
Eventually, the cat’s liver begins to fail, resulting in liver failure and death because of its inability to metabolize all of the fat it cannot remove from its body. Chronic hepatitis C is difficult to cure and often results in lengthy hospitalization. Your cat snubbing dry food in favor of treats is a significant sign that should not ignore.
Can I Feed My Cat Only Cat Treats?
Feeding your cat just goodies can lead to obesity and a decline in their quality of life over time. According to veterinarians, moderation is key to giving cats treats. Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, an Oregon veterinarian who specializes in felines, says that treats are OK to give to your cat, but they should “be a very tiny portion of the diet.
Many experts agree that cat treats should not account for more than 10% of a cat’s total caloric intake. The reason for this is that according to McGeorge, a cat’s diet is already full of calories. The remaining 90% of your cat’s calories should provide high-quality, nutrient-dense cat food.
What to Do If Your Cat Will Only Eat Treats?
If you were wondering why your cat would only eat treats, the first step in solving the mystery of why they do so is to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be affecting their appetite. Additional tests or examinations by your veterinarian may be recommended to aid in the diagnosis.
Investigate your cat’s dry food itself if any clinical concerns have been ruled out. Purchase a shiny bag of your cat’s favorite brand and see how your cat responds to the new item. For those who have tried everything and your cat still isn’t interested, try a different flavor or brand of dry food, or try switching your cat over to wet food and seeing if their appetite increases?
You may also experiment with adding a few wet meals, tuna, ground beef, or any other delectable item to the dry food to lure your cat. Of course, in this scenario, you run the risk of your cat just consuming the food garnishes and not the actual food! A veterinarian may also recommend extra measures if everything else fails, including introducing an appetite stimulant medication to the regimen if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is my cat eating treats but not food?
Your cat may be refusing dry food because you have been excessively generous with the goodies you have given them, which is another typical cause. To reduce the amount of food your cat consumes, you reward them with treats.
- What to do if your cat will only eat treats?
A teaspoon or two of canned cat food is a good starting point. If it works, you may progressively lessen the number of goodies you give out. You have to leave it on the table for him for 15 minutes before he clears his plate. Do not offer her any rewards if he refuses to consume his food.
- Will cats starve themselves if they do not like the food?
If cats do not like the food, they will die from starvation. One did miss meal can be bad for cats because they can get hepatic lipidosis. If you do not, it will have bad memories of its food, which will lead to long-term problems with eating.
- How to give medicine to a fussy cat?
Medication administration may be a challenge for any feline, but it is especially challenging for a fussy eater. Ask your veterinarian if there are any alternatives if you are concerned about providing medication to your puppy. You may also ask for a demonstration of correctly and completely distributing medication. Avoid making a fussy cat afraid to eat by putting pills or medicines in its food. This will increase their aversion to taking them.
- How to choose cat treats?
Knowing what is in your cat’s treats is crucial. Cat treats should have the ingredients listed on the package. You should look for natural, high-quality ingredients. Treats like salmon or chicken, which are high in protein, are good to start. Fats and proteins meet cats’ nutritional needs. Having snacks designed particularly for cats is essential due to their genuine carnivorous nature.
- How to make a cat eat?
If nothing else is working and your cat is not eating, you may need to attempt a new weight-reduction plan. Over 7 to 10 days, gradually increase the fresh food in each meal to introduce them to the formulation. A sudden change in one’s diet may lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It is uncommon for a single tweak to the original recipe to change the dish.
Final Thoughts:
Even though you like seeing your cat devour their treats, you should keep the amount under control. Excessive consumption of sugary foods may lead to various negative health effects. You may want to try some of the methods above if your cat is not eating her food properly. Make an appointment with the veterinarian if nothing else is working.
